4:57pm Saturday 22nd August 2009
By Paul Green
CHARLTON are top of League One after this afternoon's victory over Walsall at The Valley.
Frazer Richardson tested Clayton Ince with a 20-yard drive on two minutes and the Walsall keeper looked relieved to see it go behind for a corner.
Nickey Bailey connected perfectly with Richardson’s fifth minute cross but the Addicks skipper’s header went over the bar.
But although the hosts largely dominated the opening stages, chances remained few and far between with Walsall largely happy to sit back and defend in numbers.
But the visitors did occasionally threaten on the counter and were slightly unfortunate when Sam Parkin just failed to get on the end of Steve Jones’ 22nd cross with the striker in a dangerous position.
And only a crucial Kelly Youga tackle on Troy Deeney prevented the Saddlers striker bearing down on Rob Elliot’s goal.
But the deadlock was finally broken on the half hour when Bailey’s cross from the left was met by both Sam and Miguel Llera, but it was Llera who applied the final touch to scramble the ball over the line.
Bailey went on a surging run three minutes before the break which took him into the area and only a last-gasp clearance from Emmanuel Smith prevented him picking out an Addicks team-mate.
And Smith was on hand again to save Walsall moments later with another clearance, this time from Sam’s shot, while Shelvey’s impressive stoppage time effort from 25-yards out on the left almost caught Ince unaware.
Shelvey tried his luck from long range again four minutes after the restart, although this time Ince was more prepared and dealt comfortably with the effort.
Bailey also tried to get in on the long shot routine but his attempt went over, while Burton’s lob was gratefully received by Ince moments later.
Mark Hughes thought he had drawn the Saddlers level on 56 minutes but his goal was ruled out for offside, much to the relief of the Valley faithful.
Deeney got the better of Llera in the 63rd minute and his shot forced Addicks keeper Elliot to get down low to gather.
Deon Burton flicked on to Sam midway through the half and his cross was headed goalbound by Racon, but also the head of Bailey before sailing wide.
Phil Parkinson opted to replace Sam with Scott Wagstaff and the decision paid off four minutes later when the youngster was put through by Burton before drilling home past Ince and doubling Charlton’s advantage.
Walsall almost grabbed a lifeline on 78 minutes when Parkin glanced header across goal which Elliot onto the post but the visitors were unable to capitalise on the rebound as Deeney headed over.
Burton blazed over the bar from a good position and a mazy run by Wagstaff, which took him past two Walsall defenders, saw him pick out Burton but his floated cross was headed straight at Ince by Racon.
Charlton: Elliot, Richardson, Llera, Dailly, Youga, Sam (Wagstaff 68), Racon, Shelvey, Semedo, Bailey, Burton. Subs not used: Spring, McLeod, Solly, Fleetwood, Randolph, Tuna. Att: 15,706.
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